Absorbent article and method for manufacturing an absorbent article

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article having a main body having a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and an absorbent core sandwiched between the topsheet and the backsheet is disclosed. The main body has longitudinal and transversal axes. The article has two wings extending asymmetrically outwardly from a crotch portion of the main body in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal axis. The wings are provided with means for fastening them to a garment when folded over the main body and towards the longitudinal axis. Each wing has an outer edge which defines at least one arc of a circle having a radius coinciding with a section of the outer edge. The section extends between a first point and a second point along the outer edge where the arc no longer coincides with the outer edge. The radius is between 40-500 mm. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the absorbent article.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. National Phase application of PCT/EP2018/068232, filedJul. 5, 2018, which claims priority to PCT/EP2017/067068, filed Jul. 7,2017 and PCT/EP2017/067071, filed Jul. 7, 2017, the disclosures of allwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for allpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure concerns an absorbent article comprising a mainbody having a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheetand an absorbent core sandwiched between said topsheet and saidbacksheet, said main body being arranged along a longitudinal axis and atransversal axis extending in a perpendicular direction in relation tothe longitudinal axis, said main body defining a front portion, a backportion and a crotch portion; wherein said article comprises a firstwing and a second wing extending outwardly from said crotch portion ofthe main body in opposite directions in an asymmetric manner withreference to the longitudinal axis, and generally along said transversalaxis, said wings being provided with fastening means configured forfastening said wings to a garment when being folded over said main bodyand towards said longitudinal axis.

The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing anabsorbent article having a longitudinal extension along a longitudinalaxis and a transverse extension along a transverse axis, said articledefining a front portion, a back portion and a crotch region.Furthermore, the method comprises the steps of: forming a main body byproviding a liquid-permeable topsheet, providing a liquid-impermeablebacksheet and sandwiching an absorbent body between said topsheet andsaid backsheet; forming a first wing and a second wing configured so asto extend outwardly from said main body in opposite directions andgenerally along said transversal axis; and providing said wings withfastening means for fastening said wings to a garment when being foldedover said main body and towards said longitudinal axis.

BACKGROUND

Absorbent articles, for example in the form of sanitary napkins andpanty liners, are well known. The general purpose of such absorbentarticles is to absorb, distribute and store various types of bodyexudates while providing a high level of comfort and sense of dryness tothe wearer during use of the absorbent article. Also, such absorbentarticles are arranged to prevent the wearer from getting the clothessoiled by body exudates.

A conventional sanitary napkin is normally designed with a main bodywhich comprises a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeablebacksheet and an absorbent core which is sandwiched between the topsheetand the backsheet. The main body is arranged along a longitudinal axisand a transversal axis which extends in a perpendicular direction inrelation to the longitudinal axis.

Furthermore, absorbent articles in the form of sanitary napkins areoften provided with two wings, i.e. two wing-shaped fastening elements,extending outwardly from the main body in opposite directions andgenerally along the transversal axis. The purpose of the wings is toallow fastening of the sanitary napkin to an undergarment of a user. Tothis end, the wings are arranged to be folded over the main body andtowards said longitudinal axis. In order to allow fastening of thesanitary napkin to the undergarment, each wing is provided withfastening means such as an adhesive material. In this manner, thesanitary napkin can be attached and held in place in the undergarmentduring use.

According to prior art, the wings of a sanitary napkin can be formed ina symmetrical manner, i.e. so that the entire sanitary napkin can besaid to define a contour which is symmetrical with reference to itslongitudinal axis. Alternatively, it is also known that the wings can beformed in an asymmetrical manner with reference to the longitudinalaxis.

A previously known absorbent article having asymmetrical wings of theabove-mentioned type is known from the patent document U.S. Pat. No.5,401,268. This document shows a sanitary napkin having two wings whichare arranged asymmetrically along opposite sides of a longitudinal edgeof the napkin.

The wings disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,268 are formed of twotriangular pieces which comprise semi-circular indentations on the baseof said pieces, and also a rounded cutout at the top of each triangularpiece. The purpose of the wings shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,268 is toprovide a relatively large surface for fixing the sanitary napkin to anundergarment.

Even though the article disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,268 fulfillsthe basic requirements regarding absorbent articles provided withwing-shaped fastening elements, there is a need for further improvementswithin this field of technology. Firstly, there is a requirement thatthe wings must be configured to attach the napkin to an undergarment ina secure manner, in particular so as to improve the comfort for thewearer. This means that the attachment of the wing-shaped elements mustnot cause any unwanted shearing forces in the undergarment, or any othercauses of instability of the fastening of the article to anundergarment.

Also, there are continuing efforts made in order to provide morecost-effective manufacturing methods for the products of this type,including methods for forming the wings.

In particular, there is an increasing requirement to provide a moreoptimized use of a fastening means, comprising an adhesive, on eachwing. In this regard, manufacturers of absorbent articles are oftenlimited to using strips of adhesive material applied on each wing. Insuch a process, there is a need to use a sufficient amount of adhesive,while at the same time minimizing the use of release paper, which isregarded as causing a relatively high cost.

Furthermore, in an embodiment, the adhesive material must be used on thewings in a manner so that it does not give rise to any unwanted forcesin the garment of the user, which otherwise may cause discomfort.

Furthermore, the traditional manner of manufacturing absorbent articlesof the above-mentioned type has a drawback in that it relies to a greatextent to cutting operations involving straight edges. Such straightedges may not always be optimal for the comfort of the user.

Furthermore, the traditional way of designing absorbent articles withasymmetrically arranged wings leads to a risk that a user folds a wingover the other wing when the article is to be used, i.e. so that theadhesive on the first wing is positioned on the backside of the secondwing (instead of being placed on the user's undergarment), which is adisadvantage.

Consequently, there is a need for further improvements within therelevant field of technology.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided anabsorbent article with the purpose of solving the above-mentionedproblems related to prior art within this field. In particular, thearticle is configured so as to provide a secure and stable attachment ofa sanitary napkin to an undergarment, in order to provide a high levelof comfort for the wearer while also providing the required absorbentproperties. Also, the present disclosure aims at contributing to acost-effective manufacturing process for sanitary napkins and alsoreducing a risk that a user folds a wing over the other wing during use,i.e. so that the adhesive on the first wing is positioned on backside ofthe second wing instead of on the user's undergarment.

In accordance with the present disclosure, this object is obtained bymeans of an absorbent article comprising a main body having aliquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and anabsorbent core sandwiched between said topsheet and said backsheet, saidmain body being arranged along a longitudinal axis and a transversalaxis extending in a perpendicular direction in relation to thelongitudinal axis, said main body defining a front portion, a backportion and a crotch portion; wherein said article comprises a firstwing and a second wing extending outwardly from said crotch portion ofthe main body in opposite directions in an asymmetric manner withreference to the longitudinal axis, and generally along said transversalaxis, said wings being provided with fastening means configured forfastening said wings to a garment when being folded over said main bodyand towards said longitudinal axis. Furthermore, each wing is formedwith an outer edge which defines at least one arc of a circle coincidingwith a section of the outer edge and having a defined radius, saidsection extending between a first point on the outer edge and a secondpoint along said outer edge where said arc no longer coincides with saidouter edge, and wherein said radius is within the interval of 40-500 mm.

The disclosure provides certain advantages. Firstly, it fulfills therequirements on sanitary napkins to be securely fitted and held in placein an undergarment of a wearer. In particular, it is provided due to thefact that a relatively large part of the available adhesive provided onthe wings will be positioned close to the longitudinal axis of symmetryof the sanitary napkin during use of the sanitary napkin.

Furthermore, the configuration of the wings according to the disclosure,involving an outer edge with the above-mentioned arc of a circle, leadsto a further advantage of the invention in that the risk that a userfolds a wing over the other wing during use so that the adhesive on thefirst wing is positioned on the second wing will be reduced. The factthat the wings are formed with an arc-shaped outer edge as defined abovewill minimize this risk.

The absorbent article may be configured so that said outer edge includesa first point in the form of a transversally outermost point, saidsection extending from said outermost point and to said second pointalong said outer edge where said arc no longer coincides with said outeredge.

The outer edge may define two or more arcs of a circle, each of saidarcs defining a curve-shaped section and having a defined radius, saidfirst radius and said second radius both being within the interval of40-500 mm. According to another embodiment, the absorbent article may beconfigured so that the radius is within the interval of 50-400 mm.Furthermore, the radius may be within the interval of 50-300 mm.

Furthermore, said outer edge may include at least one straight section.According to the present disclosure a straight section is defined as asection which defines a curve-shaped section having a radius being above600 mm.

Each wing may be configured to define a first straight line between thefirst point and the second point, and a second straight line along anupper edge section, wherein the first line defines a second angle (α2)with respect to the longitudinal axis and wherein the second linedefines a third angle (α3) with respect to the longitudinal axis, themagnitude of each angle (α2, α3) being chosen so that α2<α3, or α2>α3,or α2=α3.

The absorbent article may be configured so that the magnitude of saidsecond angle (α2) is chosen so that: 10°<α2<65°.

The absorbent article may be configured so that the magnitude of saidthird angle (α3) is chosen so that: 60°<α3<120°.

Furthermore, each wing may be formed with an area between said fasteningmeans and a further edge which constitutes a grip tab.

The wings may extend generally along a common straight line whichdefines a first angle (α1) with respect to said transversal axis whichexceeds 0° but which is less than 45°. The straight line may extendbetween said first point on the outer edge of the first wing and acorresponding point on the outer edge on the second wing. The firstpoint and said corresponding point may be constituted by transversallyoutermost points along the corresponding outer edges. The first angle(α1) may be within the interval 10°-35°.

Furthermore, absorbent article may be configured so that the first wingcomprises a first fastening means and the second wing comprises a secondfastening means, said first and second fastening means may be off-setfrom each other in the longitudinal direction of the article.

The fastening means may be covered, during manufacturing, by a releaselayer.

Also, a first distance, as defined between the outer edge of each wingand the longitudinal axis, may be in the range of 40-100 mm.

Also, a second distance, as defined between the first wing folding edgeand the corresponding outer edge may be in the range of 20-60 mm.

Furthermore, a second wing folding edge may be defined where each wingcan be folded during use of the article and may have a length which iswithin the interval 10-80% of the full length of the main body, andpreferably 25-65% of the full length of the main body.

Also, the absorbent article may be configured so that each longitudinalside of the absorbent core at least partly defines a core edge which isgenerally parallel to the longitudinal axis.

The absorbent core may generally follow the outer edge of the main bodyand define an edge region of the main body which is generally equallywide along the entire periphery of the absorbent core.

The fastening means may be in the form of one or more fastening areas.The fastening means may be in form of one or more areas which comprisesan adhesive material on each of said wing.

The areas may be generally rectangular and positioned on each wing sothat they are displaced in relation to each other in the longitudinaldirection of the article.

Also, the areas may extend along generally the entire transversal lengthof each corresponding wing or only along a part of the entiretransversal length of each corresponding wing.

Furthermore, said wings may be formed with an area between saidfastening means and a further edge which constitutes a grip tab.

Also, the absorbent article may comprise a further fastening meanspositioned along the main body on a garment-facing side of saidbacksheet.

Furthermore, there is provided a method for manufacturing an absorbentarticle having a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis and atransverse extension along a transverse axis, said article defining afront portion, a back portion and a crotch region, said methodcomprising: forming a main body by providing a liquid-permeabletopsheet, providing a liquid-impermeable backsheet and sandwiching anabsorbent body between said topsheet and said backsheet; forming a firstwing and a second wing configured so as to extend outwardly from saidmain body in opposite directions in an asymmetric manner with referenceto the longitudinal axis and generally along said transversal axis; andproviding said wings with fastening means for fastening said wings to agarment when being folded over said main body and towards saidlongitudinal axis. Furthermore, the method comprises the followingsteps: forming each wing with an outer edge which defines at least onearc of a circle coinciding with a section of the outer edge and having adefined radius; forming said section so as to extend between a firstpoint on the outer edge and a second point along said outer edge wheresaid arc no longer coincides with said outer edge; and forming each wingso that said radius is within the interval of 40-500 mm.

Further advantages and advantageous features of the present disclosureare disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail below with referenceto the figures shown in the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a view from above of an absorbent article in the form of asanitary napkin according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1A shows an enlarged portion of the article according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the sanitary napkin;

FIG. 3 shows a view from above of the sanitary napkin shown in FIGS. 1and 2 but in a condition as manufactured;

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5A shows an enlarged portion of the article according to FIG. 5;and

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

Different aspects of the present disclosure will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the enclosed drawings. The embodimentsdisclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms andshould not be construed as being limited to the aspects set forthherein.

With initial reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a view from above of anabsorbent article in the form of a sanitary napkin 1 manufactured inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sanitarynapkin 1 is based on an absorbent structure for absorbing body exudatesfrom a wearer.

From FIG. 1 it can be understood that the sanitary napkin 1 comprises amain body 2 with a liquid-permeable topsheet 3 and a liquid-impermeablebacksheet 4. The sanitary napkin 1 also comprises an absorbent core 5which is sandwiched between the topsheet 3 and the backsheet 4. Thetopsheet 3 is arranged at the surface of the sanitary napkin 1, i.e. theside facing the wearer. The backsheet 4 is arranged at the underside ofthe sanitary napkin 1, i.e. the side facing an undergarment (not shown)of the wearer. Furthermore, both the topsheet 3 and the backsheet 4extend laterally outside of the absorbent core 5 along the wholeperimeter of the main body 2.

The absorbent core shown in FIG. 1 has a substantially rectangulardesign. However, the absorbent core is not limited to this particulardesign but can be formed in generally any geometric form within thescope of the present disclosure.

According to further embodiments, one or more additional layers may beprovided in the absorbent article 1. For example, an acquisition layermay be arranged between the absorbent core 4 and the topsheet 3. Such anadditional layer can for example be in the form of an airlaid layer, aspunlace layer, a high-loft, foam or any other type of material layerwhich may be used in an absorbent article in order to act as a liquidacquisition and absorption layer. The acquisition layer is adapted toquickly receive and temporarily store discharged liquid before it isabsorbed by the absorbent core. Such acquisition layer may be composedof for example airlaid nonwoven, spunlace nonwoven, high loft nonwovenor foam materials. An airlaid nonwoven can be produced with fluff, woodpulp, and here the fluff fibres are dispersed into a fast moving airstream and condensed onto a moving screen by means of pressure andvacuum. The web can be bonded with resin and/or thermal plastic resindispersed with the pulp. The web can be thermobonded (by heat), latexbonded (by adhesive) or multibonded (a combination of thermo and latexbonding) or mechanically bonded (high compression and temperature,bonding by hydrogen). The grammage of the airlaid nonwoven may be forexample from 50 to 100 gsm.

The topsheet 3, backsheet 4 and the absorbent core 5 may consist of orcomprise any materials suitable for their particular purposes, as willbe discussed in further detail below. Also, the above-mentioned layers3, 4, 5 may be connected to each other by any conventional means such asby means of an adhesive, heat bonding or ultrasonic bonding.

Furthermore, and although not shown in the drawings, the sanitary napkin1 can be configured in a manner having different material layers,densities or material components as seen along a horizontal plane of thesanitary napkin 1, i.e. in addition to being configured with differentlayers in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sanitary napkin 1 has a longitudinal extensionalong a longitudinal axis Y1 and a transverse extension along atransverse axis X1. Furthermore, the sanitary napkin 1 can be said to bedivided into a front portion 6, a back portion 7 and a crotch portion 8.The front portion 6 is intended to be oriented in a direction towardsthe wearer's belly during use of the sanitary napkin 1.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the sanitary napkin 1 isformed with two fastening wings 9, 10, or fastening tabs, which areconfigured for fastening the napkin 1 to an undergarment of the wearer.More precisely, the sanitary napkin 1 comprises a first wing 9 and asecond wing 10, each of which extends outwardly from the main body 2 andin opposite directions. The wings 9, 10 extend generally along thedirection of the transversal axis X1. Also, the wings 9, 10 are providedwith fastening means 11, 12, which according to the embodiment are inthe form of one or more adhesive areas which are configured forfastening the wings 9, 10 to the undergarment when the wings 9, 10 arefolded under the main body 2 in a direction towards the longitudinalaxis Y1.

Furthermore, each adhesive area of the fastening means 11, 12 can besaid to define a centre point 34, 35, corresponding to a centre of massfor said adhesive area. According to known technology, such a centrepoint can be defined for any area, irrespective of its shape.

Each wing 9, 10 has an outer edge 14, 15 which according to anembodiment shown in FIG. 1 is curve-shaped, i.e. it defines an outwardlyextending curve along the longitudinal direction of the absorbentarticle 1. In particular, the outer edge 14 of the first wing 9 definesa first point 29 which is an outermost point in the sense that itdefines a point along the outer edge 14 which has the greatest distanceto the longitudinal axis Y1 of all the points along the outer edge 14.The curve-shaped outer edge 14 is formed in a manner so as to providecertain advantages, as mentioned above.

In order to obtain these advantages, the outer edge 14 defines inparticular at least one arc 30 of a circle which coincides with asection 31 of the outer edge 14 and has a defined radius r. The section31 extends between the first point 29 and a second point 32 along theouter edge 14 where the arc 30 no longer coincides with said outer edge14.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first point 29 is constituted bythe transversally outermost point 29 of the outer edge 14. The inventionis however not limited to this embodiment only, as will be described ingreater detail below. With reference to FIG. 1, the section 31 of theouter edge 14 extends from the outermost point 29 and to the secondpoint 32 where the arc 30 does not coincide with the outer edge 14.

In a corresponding manner, the second wing 10 is shaped in the samemanner as the first wing 9 and has a second outer edge 15 with a secondpoint 33 which is an outermost point in the same sense as the firstpoint 29, i.e. it defines a point which has the greatest distance to thelongitudinal axis Y1 of all the points along the second outer edge 15.

An advantage with the above described curve-shaped outer edges 14,15 isthat the risk that a user folds a wing 9 over the other wing 10 duringuse so that the adhesive on the first wing 9 is positioned on thebackside of the second wing 10 will be reduced. The purpose of theadhesive on the wings 9, 10 is to fasten the wings 9, 10 on the user'sundergarment, and if instead the wings 9, 10 are attached to each other,the user may have difficulty in removing the article 1 after use, whichis a disadvantage.

FIG. 1A is an enlarged view showing a portion of the article 1 involvingthe arc 30 of a circle and the section 31. As shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 1A, the outer edge 14 is formed in a manner so that it defines anarc 30 of a circle which extends along the outer edge 14 and coincideswith a section 31 of said outer edge 14. The arc 30 of a circle has adefined radius r, which according to the embodiment may be within theinterval 40-500 mm. Furthermore, the section 31 extends between thefirst point 29 and the second point 32, wherein said second point 32 isa point along the outer edge 14 where the arc 30 no longer coincideswith the outer edge 14. The fact that the wing 9 comprises saidcurve-shaped section 31 leads to certain advantages, as mentioned above.

As indicated in FIG. 1, the two wings 9, 10 are arranged in anasymmetrical manner so that they extend generally along a commonstraight line 13 which defines an angle α1 with respect to thetransversal axis X1. According to an embodiment, the magnitude of saidangle α1 exceeds 0° but is less than 45°. According to a particularembodiment, said angle α1 may be within the interval 10-35°. It shouldbe noted that the wings 9, 10 can be arranged so that they are displacedin relation to each other in the longitudinal direction of the sanitarynapkin 1.

In order to clearly define the extension of the above-mentioned straightline 13 shown in FIG. 1, it can be noted that said straight line 13extends through the above-mentioned first point 29 and second point 33.In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, these points 29, 33 correspond tothe transversally outermost points along the outer edges 14, 15.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view as seen along the straight line 13shown in FIG. 1. The absorbent core 5 is sandwiched between the topsheet3 and the backsheet 4. As mentioned above, an acquisition layer 5 a,suitably of airlaid material, can be arranged between the absorbent core5 and the topsheet 3. Also, the two wings 9, 10 are formed so as toextend in opposite directions from the main body 2. According to theembodiment, each of the wings 9, 10 is provided with fastening means inthe form of at least one adhesive area 11, 12, which is applied on theunderside of each wing 9, 10, i.e. on the side which does not face thewearer. Furthermore, the main body 2 is also provided with furtherfastening means 18 for the purpose of fastening the sanitary napkin 1onto an inner surface of an undergarment. Such further fastening means18 may be in the form of one or several adhesive sections 18 which arearranged on the rear side of the backsheet 4 and which are arranged toextend along the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the adhesive sections 18 are covered with a releasepaper layer 19 when the sanitary napkin 1 is in its non-used condition.When the sanitary napkin 1 is to be used, the release paper layer 19 isremoved by the user so that the sanitary napkin 1 can be fastened to theundergarment.

According to alternative embodiments, the sanitary napkin 1 can beprovided with various types of fastening means in the form of frictionalfasteners, mechanical fasteners such as a hook-and-loop fastener, orcombinations of different types of fasteners, as previously known.

The properties and design of the various layers 3, 4, 5 which form partof the sanitary napkin 1 will now be described more in detail, withreference primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2.

According to an embodiment, the topsheet 3 is formed by a fluidpermeable nonwoven fabric or film which is made of thermoplasticsynthetic fibers. The topsheet 3 is sufficiently liquid-permeable toallow discharged body fluids to penetrate through the thickness of thetopsheet 3. Also, the topsheet 3 is suitably manufactured from amaterial which is compliant and soft-feeling to the skin of the wearer.

According to different embodiments, the topsheet 3 may be manufacturedfrom various web materials such as for example nonwoven films, foams, orcombinations of the above-mentioned materials. The topsheet 3 may alsobe perforated.

Furthermore, the backsheet 4 is constituted by a liquid-impermeable andbreathable layer such as a polymeric film, for example a film ofpolyethylene or polypropylene. According to different embodiments, thematerials which can be used for the backsheet 4 include thin andflexible fluid impermeable plastic films, or fluid impermeable nonwovenmaterials, fluid impermeable foams and fluid impermeable laminates.

According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the backsheet 4 isformed by a single layer, but can alternatively be formed by amulti-layered structure, i.e. a laminate, wherein at least one layer isfluid impermeable. Furthermore, the backsheet 4 can optionally beelastic in any direction. Also, backsheet materials which are not fullyliquid impermeable but only resistant to fluid penetration may be used,particularly in cases where relatively small amounts of body exudatesare expected to be absorbed by the sanitary napkin 1.

According to further embodiments, the backsheet 4 may be breathable,implying that air and vapor may pass through the backsheet 4.Furthermore, the backsheet 4 may optionally have an outer,garment-facing surface of a textile material such as nonwoven.

Furthermore, the wings 9, 10 are formed in a manner in which thetopsheet 3 and the backsheet 4 are laminated and formed with the wings9, 10 being integrated as shown in the drawings. This means that theouter edges 14, 15 are cut in the desired form during a manufacturingprocess for the sanitary napkin 1. According to an alternativeembodiment, which is not shown in the drawings, the wings can bemanufactured separately and then supplied and finally attached to themain body during a final manufacturing process.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thesanitary napkin 1 comprises an absorbent core 5 which is formed by oneor more layers comprising fibres of cellulosic fluff pulp. According toalternative embodiments, the absorbent core 5 can be made up of anysuitable absorbent or fluid-absorbing material as known in the art, forexample foam, fiber waddings and similar materials. As mentioned above,different types of material layers can be used, alone or in combination,for example airlaid, spunlace and highloft material, depending on therequired properties and the field of use of the sanitary napkin 1 inquestion.

According to one embodiment, the absorbent article is a liner, in whichcase the absorbent core may only be made of one thin material, forexample a nonwoven layer.

According to a further embodiment, the absorbent core 5 comprises asuitable amount of superabsorbent particles. Such superabsorbentmaterial is well known in the field of absorbent articles, and isconstituted by a water-swellable and water-insoluble material which iscapable of absorbing large quantities of fluid upon formation of ahydrogel. Normal superabsorbent materials are capable of absorbingfluids of at least 10 times its own weight. According to an embodiment,the amount of said superabsorbent particles is at least 10% by weight,i.e. in relation to the total weight of the absorbent core 5.

The superabsorbents are mixed into the material of the absorbent core 5.The absorbent core 5 may further incorporate components for improvingthe properties of the absorbent core 5. Some examples of such componentsare binder fibers, fluid-dispersing materials, fluid acquisitionmaterials, etc. as known in the art. According to an embodiment, amixture of cellulose fluff pulp and superabsorbent articles is mixed ina generally homogeneous manner throughout the entire absorbent core 5.

According to further embodiments, the absorbent core 5 may be ahomogeneous structure or may be a layered structure with laminates ofthe same or different materials. The absorbent layers may have uniformthickness or may vary in thickness in different parts of the layers.Also, the basis weight and composition of the absorbent core 1 may varywithin such absorbent layers.

Furthermore, as known by the skilled person, the various layers of thesanitary napkin 1 can suitably be attached by means of layers ofadhesive material. Such adhesive layers are not shown in the drawings.

With reference to FIG. 1, the wing 9 is formed so that a furtherstraight line 20 is defined as extending through the first point 29 andthe second point 32. Also, a further straight line 21 a is formed alongan upper edge section 21 of the wing 9. More precisely, thefirst-mentioned line 20 defines a further angle α2 with respect to thelongitudinal axis Y1 and the second line 21 a defines a yet furtherangle α3 with respect to the longitudinal axis Y1. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 1, the magnitude of each angle α2, α3 is chosen so thatα2<α3. However, the invention is not limited to such an embodiment only,but can alternatively be arranged in a manner in which α2>α3, or evenα2=α3.

The second wing 10 is arranged in a similar manner as the first wing 9but is reversed (i.e. “upside-down”) as compared with the first wing 9,i.e. with lines corresponding to the above-mentioned lines 20, 21 a.

According to the shown embodiment, the wings 9, 10 are arranged in agenerally parallel manner, while being connected to the main body 2 in aslightly displaced manner as regarded in the view according to FIG. 1.

Consequently, the wings 9, 10 form an asymmetric design due to thedesign of the wings 9, 10 and also due to the fact that they extendgenerally along the above-mentioned common straight line 13 whichdefines an angle α1 with respect to the transversal axis X1.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the angle α3 between theline 21 a and the longitudinal axis Y1 is greater than 90°, which meansthat a relatively small area 24 is formed between the adhesive area 11and the upper edge section 21, which area 24 is not covered with anyadhesive. This area 24 forms a grip tab which simplifies gripping andhandling of the wings 9, 10 during fastening of the sanitary napkin 1 inan undergarment, and also during removal of the sanitary napkin 1 fromthe undergarment. It should be noted that a grip tab can be providedeven in the case in which the angle α3 between the line 21 a and thelongitudinal axis Y1 is less than 90°.

In the following, certain dimensions and measurements relating to anembodiment of the invention will now be described with reference toFIG. 1. As indicated, a first distance d1, as defined between theoutermost point 29, 33 of each wing (here shown only with reference tothe second wing 10) and the longitudinal axis Y1 is in the range of40-100 mm, preferably 50-90 mm, most preferably 60-90 mm. According to aparticular embodiment, the first distance d1 is approximately 77 mm.This corresponds to the distance from the centre of the absorption body4 to the outermost points 29, 33 of each wing 9, 10.

Furthermore, a first wing folding edge 26 is defined as a part of thelongitudinal side of the main body 2 where each wing 9, 10 meets themain body 2 and along which each wing 9, 10 can be folded when thesanitary napkin 1 has been manufactured. The first wing folding edge 26as shown in FIG. 1 is defined as a line which is parallel to thelongitudinal axis Y1.

Consequently, the first wing folding edge 26 is defined as part of thelongitudinal side of the main body 2 where each wing 9, 10 meets themain body 2 and along which each wing 9, 10 is folded when the absorbentarticle 1 is manufactured.

As mentioned, the first wing folding edge 26 defines a line along whichthe corresponding wing 10 can be folded during manufacturing of thesanitary napkin 1. During use of the sanitary napkin 1, however, thewings 9, 10 are normally folded along a line which is adapted to thesize of the undergarment. Consequently, as also shown in FIG. 1, asecond wing folding edge 26 a is defined as a line along which each wing9, 10 can be expected to be folded during use of the sanitary napkin 1.According to embodiments, the second wing folding edge 26 a isconfigured so that the length along which it is folded is within theinterval 10-80% of the full length of the main body, and preferably25-65% of the full length of the main body, depending on the size andthe desired properties of the sanitary napkin 1.

A second distance d2 can be defined between the first wing folding edge26 and the corresponding outermost point 30 of the corresponding wing10, said second distance d2 being in the range of 20-60 mm, preferably25-50 mm, most preferably 24-45 mm. According to a particularembodiment, the second distance d2 is approximately 39 mm. A further wayof defining the magnitude of the second distance d2 is by defining it inrelation to the full width of the sanitary napkin 1. According toembodiments, the ratio between the second distance d2 and the full widthis in the range of 12-39%, preferably 16-32%, most preferably 16-29%.

Furthermore, a core edge 27 can be defined along at least a part of eachlongitudinal side of the absorbent core 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the coreedge 27 is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis Y1. Also, a thirddistance d3, as defined between the core edge 27 and the outermost point33 of the corresponding wing 10, is in the range of 29-69 mm, preferably34-65 mm, most preferably 34-61 mm. According to a particularembodiment, the third distance d3 is approximately 49 mm. A further wayof defining the magnitude of the third distance d3 is by defining it inrelation to the full width of the sanitary napkin 1. According toembodiments, the ratio between the third distance d3 and the full widthis in the range of 18-45%, preferably 21-42%, most preferably 21-40%.

Also, a fourth distance d4 is defined between the core edge 27 and thelongitudinal axis Y1, said fourth distance d4 being in the range of10-50 mm, preferably 15-45 mm, most preferably 20-40 mm. According to aparticular embodiment, the fourth distance d4 is approximately 29 mm. Afurther way of defining the magnitude of the fourth distance d4 is bydefining it in relation to the full width of the sanitary napkin 1.According to embodiments, the ratio between the fourth distance d4 andthe full width is in the range of 6-33%, preferably 9-29%, mostpreferably 12-25%.

Also, the core edge 27 is according to the embodiment shown in thedrawings generally parallel with the longitudinal axis Y1. In otherembodiments, however, the core edge can be non-parallel in relation tothe longitudinal axis Y1. In such cases, the above-mentioned distancesd3 and d4 will be dependent on the position along the longitudinal axisY1.

Furthermore, the absorbent core 5 is formed with a periphery whichgenerally follows the outer edge of the main body 2 and defines an edgeregion 28 along the entire periphery of the main body 2.

Also, the fastening means 11, 12 which is arranged on each one of thewings 9, 10 is according to an embodiment in the form of an area whichsupports an adhesive material. These adhesive areas 11, 12 are generallyrectangular and positioned on each wing 9, 10 in a manner so that theyare displaced in relation to each other in the longitudinal direction ofthe article 1, and also so that they extend along generally the entiretransversal length of each corresponding wing 9, 10.

The arrangement of the fastening means 11, 12 according to the inventionprovides an advantage in that it increases the stability of each wing 9,10. Also, the sanitary napkin 1 can be positioned and attached to anundergarment in a secure and comfortable manner, without any shearingforces acting on the undergarment, which otherwise could be detrimentalto the comfort of the wearer.

FIG. 3 shows the sanitary napkin according to FIGS. 1 and 2 but in acondition as manufactured, i.e. with the wings 9, 10 being folded. Notall components and features of the sanitary napkin 1 which are shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 are indicated with reference numerals in FIG. 3.

As indicated in FIG. 3, the main parts of the adhesive areas 11, 12 arelocated close to the longitudinal axis Y1. Also, the adhesive areas 11,12 are displaced in relation to each other along the longitudinaldirection of the sanitary napkin 1. This contributes, during use of thesanitary napkin 1, to a secure and comfortable fit for the user, whilemaintaining adequate absorption properties.

Also, the adhesive area 11 on the first wing 9 defines a first centrepoint 34 whereas the adhesive area 12 on the second wing 10 defines asecond centre point 35. According to the embodiment, the fastening means11, 12 are positioned on each wing 9, 10 in a manner so that thefastening means 11, 12 are not positioned along a common longitudinaldirection of the article 1 as produced, and also when the wings 9, 10are positioned as intended during use when the wings 9, 10 are fastenedto the user's undergarment. This means that the position of the firstwing 9 does not coincide with the position of the second wing 10 asmirrored along the machine direction 26 a of the article 1, i.e. alongthe second wing folding edge 26 a shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which the outer edges 14, 15 of the wings9, 10 are folded towards the longitudinal axis Y1. It should be notedthat the outer edges can extend a further distance over the main body 2,i.e. so that they extend over the longitudinal axis Y1. It should benoted that, irrespective of the actual positions of the outer edges 14,15, it is advantageous if the adhesive areas 11, 12 are positioned—whenthe wings 9, 10 are folded—in a manner so that they overlap andcooperate with the adhesive sections 18 on the rear side of the mainbody 2 during use.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, the fastening means 11 of the first wing 9and the fastening means 12 of the second wing 10 may be covered, duringmanufacturing of the article 1, by means of a release layer, which maybe in the form of a rectangular release paper.

According to a further embodiment which is shown in FIG. 4, thefastening means 12 can be formed by a number of relatively small areas12 a, 12 b, 12 c which together cover an area of the corresponding wing10. These small areas 12 a, 12 b, 12 c can be rectangular, as shown inFIG. 4, or can be of any other, suitable form in order to cover asuitable area of the corresponding wing 10. As an alternative to theembodiment in FIG. 4, the small areas can be arranged so that the extendfor example in a direction which is transverse to the longitudinal axisY1. Also, in a manner which is similar to FIG. 1, the small areas 12 a,12 b, 12 c shown in FIG. 4 are placed so that a grip tab 25 is formed.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the outer edge 14of the wing 9 defines a first arc 30 a of a circle coinciding with afirst section 31 a of said outer edge 14, and a second arc 30 b of acircle coinciding with a second section 31 b of said outer edge 14. Thefirst arc 30 a has a first radius ra, whereas the second arc 30 b has asecond radius rb. Consequently, this embodiment shows that the inventioncan be formed so that the outer edge 14 comprises two or more sectionswith mutually different curvature. The first section 31 a may or may notbe arranged in a manner so that the first arc 30 a includes thetransversally outermost point 29 of the outer edge 14 (see also FIG. 1).The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 shows a first section 31 a which does notextend from the outermost point 29 of the outer edge 14 but, asmentioned, the invention is not limited to such an arrangement only.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged view showing a portion of the first wing 9 and inparticular showing the first arc 30 a of a circle and the second arc 30b of a circle and the corresponding sections 31 a and 31 b,respectively.

According to a further embodiment, the outer edge can be shaped in amanner so that a generally straight section extends between the firstarc 30 a and the second arc 30 b. Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 6.Accordingly, FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the outer edge 14defines a first arc 30 a of a circle coinciding with a first section 31a of the outer edge, and a second arc 30 b of a circle coinciding with asecond section 31 b of said outer edge 14, and also a straight section36 of the outer edge 14 which is positioned between the first section 31a and the second section 31 b. The first arc 30 a has a first radius ra,whereas the second arc 30 b has a second radius rb. Consequently, thisembodiment shows that the invention can be formed so that the outer edge14 comprises two or more sections with mutually different curvature anda further straight section 36 positioned between the first and sectionsections 31 a, 31 b.

A process for manufacturing the sanitary napkin 1 described abovecomprises a number of steps which will now be described. Initially, amaterial which constitutes the absorbent core 4 is sandwiched betweenthe backsheet 2 and the topsheet 3 in a manner which is known as such.In this manner, the main body 2 is formed. Subsequently, the first wing9 and the second wing 10 are formed in a manner so that they extendoutwardly from the main body 2, in opposite directions and generallyalong said transversal axis X1, as described above. Furthermore, thewings 9, 10 are provided with fastening means 11, 12 for fastening thewings 9, 10 to a garment when they are folded over the main body 2.Furthermore, the manufacturing method comprises the step of forming eachwing 9, 10 with an outer edge 14 which defines at least one arc 30 of acircle coinciding with a section 31 of the outer edge 14 and having adefined radius r, said section 31 extending between a first point 29 anda second point 32 along said outer edge 14 where said arc 30 no longercoincides with said outer edge 14.

After manufacturing of the sanitary napkin 1, it is packaged by firstfolding the back portion 7 and the front portion 6 over the crotchportion 8, after which the folded napkin 1 is wrapped in an individualwrapping and stored in a box. Alternatively, the front portion 6 can befolded first over the crotch portion 8, after which the back portion 7is folded over the crotch portion 8 and the folded napkin 1 is thenwrapped.

As mentioned above with reference to FIG. 3, the wings 9, 10 are foldedalong the first folding edge 26 during the manufacturing step. Duringmanufacturing, however, the sanitary napkin 1 can alternatively befolded in a manner in which the wings 9, 10 and parts of the edge region28 are folded along the core edge 27. This means that the width of thefolded product can be made less than according to prior art, which is anadvantage since the quantity of some of the material needed, inparticular the release paper 19 and the wrapping material, can bereduced.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment but can be varied withinthe scope of the appended claims. For example, the particular shape ofthe wings 9, 10 may vary within the scope of the claims. Also, thematerials and dimensions used for the different layers forming theabsorbent article 1 can be varied, as indicated above. Also, allembodiments of wings and other geometries can be reversed as comparedwith the shown embodiments.

1. An absorbent article comprising a main body having a liquid-permeabletopsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and an absorbent coresandwiched between said topsheet and said backsheet, said main bodybeing arranged along a longitudinal axis (Y1) and a transversal axis(X1) extending in a perpendicular direction in relation to thelongitudinal axis (Y1), said main body defining a front portion, a backportion and a crotch portion; wherein said article comprises a firstwing and a second wing extending outwardly from said crotch portion ofthe main body in opposite directions in an asymmetric manner withreference to the longitudinal axis (Y1), and generally along saidtransversal axis (X1), said wings being provided with first and secondfastening means configured for fastening said wings to a garment whenbeing folded over said main body and towards said longitudinal axis(Y1), wherein each wing is formed with an outer edge which defines atleast one arc of a circle coinciding with a section of the outer edgeand having a defined radius (r), said section extending between a firstpoint on the outer edge and a second point along said outer edge wheresaid arc no longer coincides with said outer edge, wherein said radius(r) is within the interval of 40-500 mm, and wherein said outer edgeincludes said first point in the form of a transversally outermostpoint, said section extending from said outermost point and to saidsecond point.
 2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, whereinsaid outer edge defines two or more arcs of a circle, each of said arcsdefining a curve-shaped section and having a defined first radius (ra)and second radius (rb), said first radius (ra) and said second radius(rb) both being within the interval of 40-500 mm.
 3. The absorbentarticle according to claim 2, wherein said outer edge includes at leastone straight section.
 4. The absorbent article according to claim 2,wherein said radii (r; ra, rb) are within the interval of 50-400 mm. 5.The absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein said radii (r; ra,rb) are within the interval of 50-300 mm.
 6. The absorbent articleaccording to claim 1, wherein each wing defines a first straight linebetween the first point and the second point, and a second straight linealong an upper edge section, wherein the first line defines a secondangle (α2) with respect to the longitudinal axis (Y1) and wherein thesecond line defines a third angle (α3) with respect to the longitudinalaxis (Y1), the magnitude of each angle (α2, α3) being chosen so thatα2<α3, or α2>α3, or α2=α3.
 7. The absorbent article according to claim6, wherein the magnitude of said second angle (α2) is chosen so that:10°<α2<65°.
 8. The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein themagnitude of said third angle (α3) is chosen so that: 60°<α3<120°. 9.The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein each wing is formedwith an area between said fastening means and a further edge whichconstitutes a grip tab.
 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1,wherein said wings extend generally along a common straight line whichdefines a first angle (α1) with respect to said transversal axis (X1)which exceeds 0° but which is less than 45°.
 11. The absorbent articleaccording to claim 10, wherein the first angle (α1) is within theinterval 10°-35°.
 12. The absorbent article according to claim 10,wherein said straight line extends between said first point on the outeredge of the first wing and a corresponding point on the outer edge onthe second wing.
 13. The absorbent article according to claim 12,wherein said first point and said corresponding point are constituted bytransversally outermost points along the corresponding outer edges. 14.The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the first wingsupports the first fastening means and the second wing comprises thesecond fastening means, said first and second fastening means are offsetfrom each other in the longitudinal direction of the article.
 15. Theabsorbent article according to claim 1, wherein said first and secondfastening means are covered, during manufacturing, by a release layer.16. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein a first distance(d1), as defined between the outer edge of each wing and thelongitudinal axis (Y1), is in the range of 40-100 mm.
 17. The absorbentarticle according to claim 16, wherein a second distance (d2), asdefined between the first wing folding edge and the corresponding outeredge is in the range of 20-60 mm.
 18. The absorbent article according toclaim 1, wherein a second wing folding edge is defined where each wingcan be folded during use of the article, said second wing folding edgehaving a length which is within the interval 10-80% of the full lengthof the main body, and preferably 25-65% of the full length of the mainbody.
 19. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein eachlongitudinal side of the absorbent core at least partly defines a coreedge which is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis (Y1).
 20. Theabsorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent coregenerally follows the outer edge of the main body and defines an edgeregion of the main body which is generally equally wide along the entireperiphery of the absorbent core.
 21. The absorbent article according toclaim 1, wherein said fastening means is the form of one or more areaswhich supports an adhesive material on each of said wing.
 22. Theabsorbent article according to claim 21, wherein the areas are generallyrectangular and positioned on each wing so that they are displaced inrelation to each other in the longitudinal direction of the article. 23.The absorbent article according to claim 21, wherein the areas arearranged extend along generally the entire transversal length of eachcorresponding wing.
 24. The absorbent article according to claim 21,wherein said wings are formed with an area between said fastening meansand a further edge which constitutes a grip tab.
 25. The absorbentarticle according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a further fasteningmeans positioned along the main body on a garment-facing side of saidbacksheet.
 26. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article having alongitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis (Y1) and a transverseextension along a transverse axis (X1), said article defining a frontportion, a back portion and a crotch region, said method comprising:forming a main body by providing a liquid-permeable topsheet, providinga liquid-impermeable backsheet and sandwiching an absorbent body betweensaid topsheet and said backsheet; forming a first wing and a second wingconfigured so as to extend outwardly from said main body in oppositedirections in an asymmetric manner with reference to the longitudinalaxis (Y1) and generally along said transversal axis (X1); and providingsaid wings with fastening means for fastening said wings to a garmentwhen being folded over said main body and towards said longitudinal axis(Y1); forming each wing with an outer edge which defines at least onearc of a circle coinciding with a section of the outer edge and having adefined radius (r); forming said section so as to extend between a firstpoint on the outer edge and a second point along said outer edge wheresaid arc no longer coincides with said outer edge; and forming each wingso that said radius (r) is within the interval of 40-500 mm; and formingeach wing so that said outer edge includes said first point in the formof a transversally outermost point, said section extending from saidoutermost point and to said second point.
 27. (canceled)